Three dimensional collage

ABSTRACT

A user reconfigurable platform for creating three dimensional overlapping layered collages for displaying elements is provided that includes pedestals of varying heights or lengths along a z-axis relative to an attachment substrate in an x-y plane. Multiple mounting boards are configured for mounting the displayed elements and for attachment to the pedestals. The pedestals attach to the substrate with a bottom separable interface and to the mounting board with a top separable interface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in general relates to displays, and in particular to a user reconfigurable platform for creating three dimensional overlapping collages for displaying artwork, woven or knit material patterns, printed indicia, collector cards, stamps, currency, photographs, and objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The term collage derives from the French “coller” meaning “glue” and is a technique in art production, primarily used in the visual arts, where the artwork is made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole. A collage may sometimes include newspaper clippings, ribbons, bits of colored or handmade papers, portions of other artwork or texts, photographs and other found objects, glued to a piece of paper or canvas. A montage is French for ‘assembly’ or ‘editing’, and a photomontage refers to a composite photograph made up of separate photographs. Shadow boxes are also well known as a way of display mounting various objects in a protected manner. Butterfly mounts are exemplary of objects retained in a conventional shadow box.

Various types of three dimensional picture collages have existed for many years and provide a layered look with multiple levels along the z-axis, and have proven to be an attractive way to display multiple pictures in a single unit. The following U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,862 to Dyer et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,067 to Woronow et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,064 to Dodson; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,390 to Reis all describe a layered collage effect that is part of rigid non-configurable pattern, as determined by the manufacturer, and thus the user has no flexibility to move mounting planes around as desired to create a custom placement of photographs. The fixed nature of the photo placements in these aforementioned previous designs all fail to take into account that due to content of individual photographs, and the location of the subjects in the photo, that there are certain areas in the photograph that are available for overlapping, and these designs do not allow arrangement of each image beyond the locations the manufacturer has chosen.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,333,026 to Southhard allows a user to arrange photographs along a standard grid of supports. Although this is an improvement over the references cited above, the user is still relegated to a finite number of locations for each photograph. In addition, once locations for the mounting pegs are created, modification of these locations, or removal of a photograph, will visually expose the mounting peg or leave damage to the substrate if the peg is removed. Furthermore, this design also does not allow for overlapping of pictures and therefore lacks the 3D effect to the arrangement.

Despite the previous efforts for collage and montage arrangements, these arrangements lack a fully user configurable and reconfigurable three dimensional overlay of elements. Thus, there exists a need for a user configurable and reconfigurable collage display with three dimensional overlays of elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A user reconfigurable platform for creating three dimensional overlapping layered collages for displaying elements is provided that includes pedestals of varying heights or lengths along a z-axis relative to an attachment substrate in an x-y plane. Multiple mounting boards are configured for mounting the displayed elements and for attachment to the pedestals. The pedestals attach to the substrate with a bottom separable interface and to the mounting board with a top separable interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is an exploded side perspective drawing showing the pedestal, and separable interfaces according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a side perspective drawing showing the pedestal, and upper separable interface according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a series of pedestals of varying heights or lengths according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1D is a side perspective view showing an arrangement of pedestals supporting mounting boards, with the pedestals attached to a substrate according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a peel and stick surface on the mounting boards to facilitate easy mounting of elements according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the mounting board of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a top down view of an overlapping three dimensional arrangement of elements in a shadow box according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is an isometric view of the overlapping three dimensional arrangement of elements in a shadow box of FIG. 3A according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a partial side view of the overlapping three dimensional arrangement of elements showing the mounting boards and pedestals in the shadow box of FIG. 3A according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3D is a top down view of an overlapping three dimensional arrangement of elements with mounting board sizes according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrates a three dimensional photo collage created with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A-5C are perspective views of pedestals made of wood according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective views of tube pedestals according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7A-7C are perspective views of molded pedestals according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 8A-8C are perspective views of an object mounted to a pedestal (in this case a golf ball) according to an embodiment of the invention.

The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has utility as a user reconfigurable platform for creating three dimensional overlapping layered collages for displaying elements. An element as used herein is defined to include essentially two dimension objects in which the thickness is considerably less than that the two dimensional expanse, as well as three dimensional objects. Elements operative herein illustratively include artwork, woven or knit material patterns, printed indicia, collector cards, stamps, currency, rocks, shells, thimbles, figurines, and photographs. Embodiments of the invention provide for a three dimensional (3D) layered effect for elements displayed in the collage or photo montage. Embodiments of the inventive 3D collage/montage are easy to set up with pedestals with variable heights or lengths along the z-axis relative to an attachment substrate in the x-y plane. The pedestals may be made of metal, brass, plastic, acrylic, composites, wood, paper, and corrugated materials. The columnar pedestals support mounting boards to facilitate mounting of elements. In a particular inventive embodiment, a peel and stick surface is provided on the top surface of the mounting boards to facilitate easy securement of the mounted elements. In still other inventive embodiments, a ferromagnetic piece such a disk or washer is secured to the element as a mounting board so as to be positioned intermediate between the element and pedestal to facilitate joinder therebetween. In other inventive embodiments, a user may attach the outward variable height projecting pedestals in any position on the substrate so as to create any desired pattern for the displayed elements, where the arrangement is reconfigurable on demand. In an embodiment, separable interfaces on the pedestals (magnets, material loops (Velcro™), push-pin, mating press fits or engagements, snaps, reusable and removable adhesives, etc.) allow repositioning and replacement of the pedestals without leaving witness marks in the substrate.

In embodiments, the substrate may be an open sheet that is framed or unframed, or a backplane of a shadow box enclosure, where a cover prevents dust buildup on the display elements. In embodiments, a frameless design with large scale mattes allows for wall art displays, when the wall is coated in steel or some other substrate compatible with the pedestal design. In embodiments the substrate may be metal, cork bulletin board material, foam, and Velcro™.

Referring now to the figures, where like elements in the different figures are identified with equivalent or similar numbers, an inventive user configurable 3D collage display is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1D. As shown in FIG. 1D, an arrangement of pedestals (12A, 12B, 12D) of varying heights support the mounting boards (18A, 18B, 18D), with the pedestals attached to a substrate 16 according to embodiments of the invention. As shown in the side view of FIG. 1D, the mounting boards (18A, 18B, 18D) are able to overlap since the pedestals (12A, 12B, 12D) have varying heights, and displacements. In embodiments the mounting boards 18 may be planar and have varying shapes including, but not limited to square, rectangle, triangular, trapezoidal, and circular. In embodiments, the mounting boards 18 may be made of metal, plastic, composite, acrylic, wood, paper, and corrugated materials. FIG. 1C illustrates an embodiment with four different pedestal heights (12A-12D), however additional pedestal heights may also be provided or configured by a user. FIG. 1A is an exploded side perspective drawing showing the pedestal 12, and top and bottom separable interfaces (14A, 14B). In an embodiment, the pedestal 12 may have adhesive on one or both ends as separable interfaces (14A, 14B). In an embodiment, the pedestal 12 may have Velcro™ on one or both ends as separable interfaces (14A, 14B). In an embodiment, pedestal 12 may have a push-pin on the bottom end as separable interface 14B, and a bulletin board type material, such as a cork like material on the substrate 16. In an embodiment, pedestal 12 may have mating press fits or engagements (i.e., Lego™ like features) on one or both ends as separable interfaces (14A, 14B) for engaging complementary mating surfaces on the substrate and/or mounting board 18. FIG. 1B shows the pedestal 12 with the upper separable interface 14A inserted into a counter sunk hole within the pedestal 12. Alternatively, the separable interfaces (14A, 14B) may be placed on flat end surfaces of pedestal 12. When magnets are used as separable interfaces (14A, 14B), the magnets may have uniform polarities at each end of pedestal 12 to prevent impact damage to the magnets and potential safety hazard due to flying debris as seen in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a peel and stick surface 20 on the mounting boards 18 to facilitate easy mounting of elements according to embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2B, disc 22 on the back of the mounting boards 18 is a joining point for the separable interface 14A. For example, if the separable interface 14A is a magnet, the disc 22 is made of metal to attract the magnet, and for the other types of separable interfaces described above disc 22 is of a complementary material to facilitate joining.

FIGS. 3A-3D show a shadow box 30 with a user reconfigurable platform for creating three dimensional overlapping layered collages. FIG. 3A is a top down view of a shadow box 30 with an overlapping three dimensional arrangement of elements according to embodiments of the present invention. As best shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, a series of overlapping mounting boards 18 of varying sizes are shown in a frame 32 of a shadow box 30. The pedestals 12A-12D are of varying heights to allow for overlap of the mounting boards 18A-18D. The pedestals 12A-12D are removeably attached to the substrate 16. A glass or clear plastic 34 covers the overlapping mounting boards 18 in the shadow box 30. The sizes of the mounting boards are shown in FIG. 3D. FIGS. 4A and 4B shows a three dimensional photo collage created with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an embodiment 100 of a wooden pedestal 112 of varying heights as shown by 112A-112D of FIG. 5A. As best shown in the exploded and sectioned view of FIGS. 5B and 5C, respectively, upper and lower separable interfaces (14A, 14B) are inserted into a counter sunk hole 102 within the wooden pedestal 112.

FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective views of an embodiment 200 of tube pedestals 212 of varying heights as shown by 212A-212D of FIG. 6A. The tube 216 of varying lengths (216A-216D) may be made of acrylic, brass, or other materials such as plastics, composites, or metals has flared ends (218A, 218B), as best shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, for holding upper and lower separable interfaces (214A, 214B). The tube 216 fits into tube pedestal 212.

FIGS. 7A-7C are perspective views of an embodiment 300 of molded pedestals 312 of varying heights as shown by 312A-312D of FIG. 7A. The molded pedestal 312 has upper and lower engagements 318A and 318B, respectively for securing upper and lower separable interfaces (314A, 314B). Engagements 318A and 318B may be heat staked features of the molded parts or snap fits.

FIGS. 8A-8C are perspective views of a golf ball 400 whereon a metal disc 22 is attached to the ball thereby providing a complimentary magnetic separable interface 14A with as detailed above.

The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention. 

1. A user reconfigurable platform for creating three dimensional overlapping layered collages for displaying elements comprising: a plurality of pedestals of varying heights or lengths along the z-axis relative to an attachment substrate in the x-y plane; a plurality of mounting boards configured for mounting said elements and for attachment to said pedestals; and wherein each of said plurality of pedestals attach to said substrate with a bottom separable interface and to said mounting board with a top separable interface.
 2. The platform of claim 1 wherein said elements are each a two dimensional-object or a three-dimensional-object.
 3. The platform of claim 1 wherein said elements include at least one of artwork, woven or knit material patterns, printed indicia, collector cards, rocks, shells, thimbles, figurines, stamps, currency, and photographs.
 4. The platform of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of pedestals is made of at least one of metal, brass, acrylic, plastic, composites, wood, paper, and corrugated materials.
 5. The platform of claim 1 wherein said plurality of pedestals are attached anywhere on said substrate.
 6. The platform of claim 1 wherein said attachment substrate is framed.
 7. The platform of claim 6 wherein said attachment substrate is a backplane of a shadow box enclosure.
 8. The platform of claim 1 said attachment substrate is a wall.
 9. The platform of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of mounting boards is planar.
 10. The platform of claim 9 wherein at least one of said plurality of mounting boards has a shape of square, rectangle, triangular, trapezoidal, and circular.
 11. The platform of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of mounting boards is made of metal, plastic, composite, wood, paper, or corrugated materials.
 12. The platform of claim 1 wherein the top and bottom separable interfaces are combinations of magnets, hook and loop fasteners, push-pin, mating press fits or engagements, snaps, and reusable and removable adhesives; and wherein the bottom separable interfaces allow repositioning and replacement of the pedestals without leaving witness marks in said substrate.
 13. The platform of claim 1 wherein said plurality of pedestals are formed from acrylic tubes or brass tubes with a bottom flared end and a top flared end; and wherein said bottom flared end holds said bottom separable interface and said top flared end hold said top separable interface.
 14. The platform of claim 1 wherein said plurality of pedestals are molded with an upper and a lower engagement feature for securing said upper and lower separable interfaces, respectively.
 15. The platform of claim 12 wherein a plurality of said magnets are present and positioned on at least one of the top or bottom separable interfaces with uniform polarity on the top separable interfaces or the bottom separable interfaces. 